I have been continuing to work on my JL Innovative Ice-Cream Parlor. I have almost completed the walls. They will perhaps get a little more weathering after assembly. Now I am working on signs and posters and things for the windows. I hope to get the basic assembly complete over the weekend.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
I figured I'd merge the two Photo Fun threads...
To TrainManTy and ShadowNix:
As for building my grade crossing on-a-curve, it was fairly easy. Materials used included strip basswood (1/16 x 1/8 and 3/32 x 3/32), "Wood" colored acrylic paint, and ground-up artist's charcoal. Tools included pins, and a small flat-head screwdriver.
I first cut the basswood strips to the desired length (7 of the 3/32 x 3/32, and 2 of the 1/16 x 1/8). Then I thinned the "Wood" acrylic paint and "stained" each strip so they would be kind of wet. Next, I started with the inside of the curve. I CA'd a piece of the 1/16 x 1/8 basswood to the plastic rail spikes cast onto the piece of track. I kept the piece formed to the shape of the rail with ALOT of pins (about one per tie) until dry. Next, I laid one of the 3/32 x 3/32 pieces of basswood next to the piece already there, gluing it to the ties themselves and pinning it in much the same way. This finished the inside of the curve.
Next, I took 5 of the 3/32 x 3/32 pieces of basswood and glued them with CA, one at a time, between the plastic rail spikes in-between the rails (5 pieces fit exactly). This leaves enough clearance between the wood and rails for the wheelsets. Then I finished the outside of the curve the same way I completed the inside of the curve.
Once it was all assembled, I took the small flat-head screw driver and lightly "scored" each length of stripwood to create the planks. On each end, and next to each score, I punched a pin through the wood to create the "bolt-hole", simulating the bolts that hold the grade crossing down.
With all the details added, I then brushed some ground-up artist's charcoal over the crossing to highlight the details. I ballasted the road and completed my crossing.
Yes David I noticed that. When I was painting it it looked really dark to me. But at least it's on paper and not the actuall wall. When I hung it up I just said, "Well, it's going to be late at might on the layout." But I think the clouds turned out good. Ic an easly fix that. I got some Sky blue laying around here.
BTW: If you think it looks dark in the picture you should see it in real life!
My Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/JR7582 My Flickr Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wcfan/
HAPPY 4th of JULY!
So far today i have taken an athearn undecorated 50' boxcar and turning it ino csxt 130669 with the help of some paint and some decals... oh i love that blue :)
Thanks guys! Ok, I don't have much other pics. Just from diffrent angles. I'll try my shot later today at a "Proto-type" photo on the layout.
Wow, nice work!
Ez, I LOVE your balsa crossing...on a curve too!!! I am jealous...still planning the roads, but when I get to crossings I may have to ask you how!
WC... Nice looking layout... more pics please!!!
Brian
Well, I got ALOT of stuff done. I Painted my back drop(Finally), I made some abonded track, got alot of my scenery done. Power lines are up with wire, replaced turnout, and set up some trees. Now I'm going to start blending every thing in with the scenery.
Hey, it's a holiday - which is kind of like a weekend so I've been hard at work in the train room. Here are some pics of what I've been up to. Post yours as well.
I just finished scratch-building a basswood grade crossing in a curve,
added underbrush around some of my ROW,
and finally caught some workers unloading an REA boxcar on July 4th while another worker looks on. Wait, they must be crooks stealing something if it's a Holiday! I guess they are going to get away with it since the police are at the donut shop on my friends layout
Happy 4th of July!